Sunday, June 13, 2010
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
.
The purpose of this posting is to announce the launch of a new international Nordic Walking organisation. The uniqueness and importance of this body lies in its mission to serve the “grass roots” community of Nordic Walkers and to act as a catalyst and promoter of this great life enhancing activity. At this juncture only the principles are announced and the details of the structure and membership categories will be progressively unveiled through a variety of online media.
For some considerable time three well known Nordic Walking innovator/educators have been working together to form a pan global Nordic Walking organisation to serve the interests of the whole Nordic Walking community. In some ways this organisation is to be the antithesis of existing industry based groups and its draft constitution is already well developed.
The purpose of this posting is to announce the launch of a new international Nordic Walking organisation. The uniqueness and importance of this body lies in its mission to serve the “grass roots” community of Nordic Walkers and to act as a catalyst and promoter of this great life enhancing activity. At this juncture only the principles are announced and the details of the structure and membership categories will be progressively unveiled through a variety of online media.
For some considerable time three well known Nordic Walking innovator/educators have been working together to form a pan global Nordic Walking organisation to serve the interests of the whole Nordic Walking community. In some ways this organisation is to be the antithesis of existing industry based groups and its draft constitution is already well developed.
The three individuals concerned are Australian, Michael Gates, Fin, Marko Kantaneva and American, Tom Rutlin. These three individuals have also drawn upon the views of others who are engaged in the Nordic Walking world. However, these individuals see the ongoing development of this organisation being put in train by a larger collective; in other words, whilst they formed the initial idea, the organisation is not theirs.
A name has already been chosen and formally registered; it is: The World Nordic Walking Federation, or WNWF. The term Federation has been purposefully chosen as it is envisaged that the entity would be made up of national bodies (which will have a degree of autonomy to reflect national and cultural interests) and a global board, or presidium, to co-ordinate, the whole.
A mission statement has been written, and is as follows:
WNWF Mission Statement
The mission of the World Nordic Walking Federation is to unite member individuals, organizations and industry partners in educational, research and promotional projects aimed at increasing participation in Nordic Walking and thus creating a critically needed positive impact on public health on every continent around the globe. Our central focus will be on educating, empowering and encouraging people of all ages, abilities and means to enjoy a more active life, and in doing so prevent the onset of many of the epidemic diseases of sedentary living through regular enjoyment of the body, mind and spirit- nurturing benefits of Nordic Walking.
Since service to the expanding Nordic Walking community is the mission of the WNWF, it is proposed that there be created a Board of Servers (as opposed to Board of Directors). While this board will by necessity help direct the early course of the Federation it is intended that a board consisting of those committed to serving the community would underscore the mission of the Federation on the premise that the power of the Federation is derived from serving the grass roots community. To this end, each Server will be expected to make a pledge to the community, as follows:
WNWF Member (Board of Servers) Pledge
As a member (of the Board of Servers ) of the World Nordic Walking Federation, I pledge to place the organization’s mission of service to the Nordic Walking community ahead of my personal and/or professional goals with a full understanding that a united effort fully committed to serving -- rather than exploiting -- the Nordic Walking community through the Federation’s stated mission is what is absolutely essential in order to bring about the maximum life-changing public health impact and participation in this fun, healthy, life-enriching physical activity on a global scale.
Work is currently ongoing to develop the mechanics of the organisation. A domain name has been allocated and a web site is under construction to serve as the focal point for information. At the same time, this weblog and the eCommunity Forum, will also provide updates on development and will also facilitate discussion.
.
Malcolm Jarvis - Editor: Nordic Walking Magazine
http://www.nordicwalkingmagazine.com
